Sky Sports regularly suggested that Norwegian international Martin Odegaard could also be set for a switch to Old Trafford.

In the end, the attacking midfielder remained at Stromsgodset, which is no surprise considering he is only 15.

Odegaard is being tipped as one of the next generation of European stars when most people his age are thinking of little beyond social life and school work.

But the Norwegian is not like most teenagers. He has already won his first senior cap for his country while he has featured 17 times for Stromsgodset, scoring three goals and providing five assists to date.

Considering his age, that is nothing short of remarkable, and it was no surprise that United – along with a whole host of other clubs – were said to be keeping a very close eye on him.

He was even being tipped to face England when his countrymen took on the Three Lions on Wednesday evening; but instead he played for Norway’s under-21s – still an amazing achievement considering he will be sharing the pitch with players up to six years his senior.

Whatever the future has in store for Odegaard, it seems it will be a bright one, with former Blackburn Rovers star Morten Gamst Pedersen singing his praises.

In quotes published by the Western Daily Press, Pedersen said of Odegaard, “For his age he is unbelievable. His knowledge of the game is unbelievable and his technical skills are fantastic.”

“You have to realise he is only 15 years old and he needs time to build up his physique but the potential is unbelievable. I have never seen a player with so much potential.”

High praise indeed, and it is no surprise United have been linked if he really is as good as Pedersen suggests.

But at 15, he has plenty of years to improve, and one suspects that the way United’s summer transfer business went, any potential move for Odegaard is very much for the future.

What do you think the future holds for Martin Odegaard?

Vincent Ralph

After graduating with a degree in English Literature, Vincent completed a NCTJ-accredited qualification in newspaper and magazine journalism in 2005. Shortly after, in a somewhat leftfield move, he began working at a secondary school in Kent.

After eight years – the last four of which were spent as Head of Sixth Form – he began to write full-time, combining his love of football with his passion for the written word.

Alongside his work for HITC Sport, he also writes film reviews for HITC Lifestyle… along with the odd music interview when fate allows.